Clasp or locking mechanism for travelers  bags



(No Model.)

R. D. TUCKER. CLASP 0R LOCKING MECHANISM FOR TRAVELERS BAGS.

Patented May 13, 1890.

R M r U U T w W N m: W. .E A V I III I d h 6. aWM

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROLLIN D. TUCKER, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

CLASP OR LOCKING MECHANISM FOR TRAVELERS BAGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 427,641, dated May 13, 1890.

Application filed October 15, 1888. Renewed September 20, 1389. Serial No. 324,484. (No model.?

To aZZ whom it may concern-.-

Be it known that I, ROLLIN D. TUCKER, of Boston, county of Suffolk, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Clasps or Locking Mechanism for Travelers Bags, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification. I

This invention relates to improvements in mechanism for elasping and holding together the jaws of a travelers hand-bag.

It consists in the combining of a locking mechanism with the bag-handle in such a manner as to require a movement of the said handle for the purpose of opening the bag.

It also relates to matters of construction and arrangement, all of which are fully described and then specifically claimed hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side view of a mechanism embodying this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view representing the jaws of an opened bag having this invention combined therewith. Fig. 3 is a detail to be referred to hereinafter. Fi i is a section through one plunger case, representing alock combined with the latch.

The lugs A B are secured by suitable rivets to the framework which constitutes one jaw of the ba Saidlugs are provided with tubular openings in which are fitted the plungers a I). Said plungers are arranged to permit endwise movement in said lugs, and are each provided with extensional-ms c f. Said arms operate to engage with suitable hooks h, Fig. 3, which hooks are secured to the opposite jaw of the bag in position to engage with the arms e f when the jaws of the bag are closed together. To this end the arms 6 f are projected downward through the lugs A B, and

are beveled off, as represented, to facilitate the operation of engaging with the hooks 71 The lugs A B are preferably arranged, one at each end of the bag, equidistant from the center cross-line of the ba Intermediate the lugs is a handle II,co11nected,as represented,with the plungers a I). Said handle constitutes the grip or lug handle of the bag, and a longitudinal movement thereof in the direction of its length operates to move the plungers a l) endwise to disengage or to engage the arms 6 f with the hooks 71-. A projecting stop or stud 5 engages the end of the lug 3, and thereby prevents the said movement of the handle, except when the handle is turned over at one side so as to allow the said stud to enter a recess 6 in the lug. This arrangement prevents the bag from opening or being opened while the bag is in the elevated or carrying position. A spiral spring surrounds the plunger I) and operates to force the engagement of the locking-arms and hooks h when the jaws of the bag are closed together, all in an obvious manner. The arms 6 f and the corresponding hooks 71 have their contiguous faces beveled obversely, as represented, to facilitate the necessary movement of the arms when closing the bag together.

Fig. t represents a lock mechanism combined with the plunger a for the purpose of locking the engaging mechanism. Said lock mechanism comprises a plunger 8, which may be depressed into a corresponding socket formed in the plunger 1). The depressing movement of the plunger 8 is effected by a mechanism controlled by any desired form or key.

I claim- 1. In combination with a traveling-bag having the bearinglugs A B for the handle, the handle having sliding movement in the direction of its length in said bearings, a lockingcatch in connection with the handle arranged to engage with a lug or hook and to be engaged therefrom by the sliding movement of the handle, substantially as described.

2. In combination, the bearing-lugs, a handle having longitudinal movement in the said bearings, sliding catches for holding the bag in connection with the handle, the said handle having pivotal movement, and a stop for preventing the sliding movement while the handle is upright in normal position, but to allow the sliding movement when the handle is turned to another position, substantially as described.

3. In combination with atraveling-bag, sliding catches therefor, a sliding handle connected to said catches for moving them, and a spring for keeping said catches normally in position to engage with their locking-studs, substantially as described.

t. In combination with a travelin g-bag, sliding plungers carrying locking-catches, ahandle having sliding and pivotal movement conin; handle connected to said plungers, and a nected to said plungers, a spring encircling lock for preventing the plungers from sliding, IO one of the plnng'ers, a stop on one arm of the substantially as described.

handle, and a recess for receiving the stop in one position of the handle, substantially as ROLLIN D. TUCKER. described. I Witnesses:

5. In combination with a traveling-bag, slid- O. B. TUTTLE, ing plungers carrying locking-catches, a slid- GEO. H. WVILLIAMS. 

